Portland Harbor

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Current news

Watch video to learn about Portland Harbor and progress made to ensure that once the Willamette River cleanup begins, the river will not be re-contaminated. See what’s been done to control contaminants along both sides of the river.

On Nov. 21, 2014, DEQ submitted the Portland Harbor Upland Source Control Summary Report to EPA and partners. The report concludes that current and planned cleanup of properties around the Portland Harbor Superfund Site will be sufficient for the US Environmental Protection Agency to effectively implement the in-water remedy without delay.

Read about the land cleanups that are necessary for the river cleanup here.

Site Summary

Portland Harbor is a heavily industrialized stretch of the Lower Willamette River north of downtown Portland, from Sauvie Island south to the Fremont Bridge. EPA listed Portland Harbor on the National Priorities List, known as Superfund, in December 2000. Sediments in the river are contaminated with various toxic compounds, including metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls (known as PCBs), chlorinated pesticides and dioxin. Levels of these pollutants in the river appear to be highest near contaminated sites on the shore, known as upland sites.

EPA, DEQ and other agencies, tribal governments, community groups and companies are working to investigate and clean up contamination in Portland Harbor. EPA is the lead agency responsible for investigating and cleaning up contaminated sediments in the river itself. DEQ is the lead agency for investigating and cleaning up contamination on upland sites, working with individual property owners. Both EPA and DEQ coordinate with six Tribal governments and other natural resource trustees. The Portland Harbor Natural Resource Trustee Council is designated by law to act on behalf of the public or Tribes to protect and manage natural resources.

Current Documents and Supporting Information

Portland Harbor Community Advisory Group
The community plays an important role in cleaning up Portland Harbor. The Portland Harbor Community Advisory Group works to engage community members in the cleanup process and provides input to EPA and DEQ about community concerns and interests. The group meets on the second Wednesday of each month, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the City of Portland Water Pollution Control Laboratory, located at 6543 N Burlington Avenue in Portland, Oregon 97203.

Portland Harbor Fish Advisory
PDF
In June 2004, the Oregon Health Authority issued a fish advisory related to high PCB levels found in fish caught from the Willamette River in Portland Harbor. This presentation provides more information.

Administrative Order on
Consent PDF
In September 2001, EPA signed an Administrative Order on Consent that required completion of a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study for Portland Harbor. The order was signed between EPA and a group of ten Portland Harbor property owners known as the Lower Willamette Group, which includes businesses along the Willamette River, the Port of Portland and the City of Portland. Attached to the order is a detailed Statement of Work for the remedial investigation and feasibility study.

Memorandum of Understanding
PDF
In February 2001, EPA, DEQ and the Trustees (Tribal governments and natural resource agencies) signed a Memorandum of Understanding that outlines roles and responsibilities of the agencies and partners in the Superfund cleanup process.

McCormick and Baxter
Superfund Site
This site is located within the boundary of the Portland Harbor Superfund Site. Over the last 15 years, DEQ, EPA and partners have cleaned up the site and are restoring it to productive use.